Rubén De la Red
Encyclopedia
Rubén de la Red Gutiérrez (born 5 June 1985) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a central midfielder.
He made a name for himself at Getafe
after emerging through Real Madrid
's cantera
. Returning to his first club in 2008, he suffered a serious heart
ailment which put his career on hold for two years, until he finally retired in late 2010.
Additionally, de la Red was part of Spain's squad at the victorious Euro 2008 tournament.
, Community of Madrid, de la Red arrived at the Real Madrid
youth system when he was 14, being the youngest in Cadete B. At one point, he was transferred to CD Móstoles
after being told he was not good enough, but was soon re-signed by Madrid. After his fourth season with the club, youth coach Quique Flores, who was moving to Getafe CF
, wanted de la Red to join him at his new club, but Madrid turned him down. The player said: "It is a pride that Quique was interested so much in me, but for me Real Madrid is the number one choice, that is clear; everything else comes afterwards".
De la Red made his first-team debut on November 10, 2004 against CD Tenerife
in the season's Copa del Rey
, a 2–1 away win. His La Liga
debut came on 22 September 2005, playing two minutes in a 3–1 home triumph against Athletic Bilbao
, and he played two more games as a late substitute during that campaign
.
In the 2006–07 season, de la Red was called-up to the main squad by then-manager Fabio Capello
, along with teammates Miguel Torres
and Miguel Ángel Nieto
, and made seven appearances during the league-winning campaign. On 8 November 2006, he scored his first goal with the main squad, closing the scoresheet against Écija Balompié
for the season's domestic cup
(5–1 home win, 6–2 aggregate). After the end of the season, the midfielder renewed his contract until 2011.
On 31 August 2007, de la Red was transferred to Madrid
-based Getafe, with Real Madrid having an option to re-buy the next two years. There, he established himself as an important first team player, usually assuming the role of playmaker
, having been joined at the team by another Real Madrid cantera
no, Esteban Granero
, who arrived on loan. During the season, he was forced, due to injuries to teammates, to perform as centre back, notably in the UEFA Cup quarterfinal tie against FC Bayern Munich
, in which second leg he was sent off
in the 6th minute; in the continental competition, he scored three times in 11 matches, notably in a 2–1 win at Tottenham Hotspur
, on 25 October 2007, equalizing after a set piece
combination with Granero.
Real Madrid president
Ramón Calderón
confirmed in May 2008 that, along with Granero and Javi García
, de la Red would return to the Santiago Bernabéu
for the 2008–09 season. It was suggested that Ruben could be used in a swap deal involving a number of potential targets, although then coach Bernd Schuster
stated that he was willing to give the midfielder a chance to impress in his team.
He scored his first goal for the club since returning on 24 August 2008, in the Spanish Supercup
final (second leg) against Valencia CF
, with an astounding long-range effort, adding his first in the league - for Real - on September 21, against Racing de Santander
(2–0 away win).
On October 30, 2008, de la Red was hospitalized after collapsing during a cup match against Real Unión
. He suffered an effort syncope
. On 12 December, the club announced the player would be missing the rest of the campaign as a precaution, and some subsequent media reports claimed that he might never recover from his heart condition.
In late June 2009, after further tests proved inconclusive, de la Red missed the entire 2009–10 season
, also being scheduled for tests every two months to monitor his situation. On 2 July, the club confirmed the news through its official website. After new Madrid signing Raúl Albiol
was given the number 18 shirt, previously worn by de la Red, the defender promised to give the shirt number back to de la Red, in the possibility he made a return.
In January 2010, it was reported in various Madrid-based news sites that Real Madrid were attempting to declare de la Red's heart problem to be "a common condition", and therefore find a way to annul his contract. As a consequence, the player would only receive a €
1,500-monthly disability benefit, rather than the full wages due from the remaining two years of his professional contract.
On 3 November 2010, de la Red announced his retirement from football at only 25. Prior to this announcement, he stated he would remain at the club as a youth coach.
Director of football
Jorge Valdano - also a former club player and coach - added: "This day marks a turning point in Rubén's life. He ends his career as a player to focus all his passion for this sport on training. He is, from today, a part of Real Madrid's coaching staff and will start learning about what we do and how we come about it. He will also be part of Mourinho's 'lab', in which every game is rigorously prepared. The objective is for Rubén to learn skills in order to apply them to whatever team he ends up being assigned to. He's gone through all of the different teams the club has and he will use that experience to continue to be a part of the world of football".
, before being called up by the senior team
for a March 26, 2008 friendly against Italy
, but did not make his debut. Uncapped
, he was named in the nation's squad of 22 for UEFA Euro 2008 by coach Luis Aragonés
, but would appear in two friendly games against Peru
and USA
prior to the continental competition.
During the tournament's final group stage match, de la Red scored his only international goal with a powerful strike against Greece
, on 18 June, for a 2–1 win.
Getafe:
Spain U19:
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who played as a central midfielder.
He made a name for himself at Getafe
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
after emerging through Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
's cantera
Cantera
Cantera, literally meaning "quarry" in Spanish, is a term used in Spain to refer to youth academies and farm teams organized by sports clubs. It is also used to refer to the geographical area that clubs recruit players from. The term is widely used in football but is also applied to other sports...
. Returning to his first club in 2008, he suffered a serious heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
ailment which put his career on hold for two years, until he finally retired in late 2010.
Additionally, de la Red was part of Spain's squad at the victorious Euro 2008 tournament.
Club career
Born in MóstolesMóstoles
Móstoles is the second-largest city in population belonging to the autonomous community of Madrid. It is located 18 kilometres southwest from central Madrid. Móstoles was for a long time only a small village, but expanded rapidly in the twentieth century....
, Community of Madrid, de la Red arrived at the Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
youth system when he was 14, being the youngest in Cadete B. At one point, he was transferred to CD Móstoles
CD Móstoles
Club Deportivo Móstoles is a Spanish football team from Móstoles, a city in the southern metropolitan area of Madrid. Founded in 1955, it currently plays in Tercera División, holding home matches at El Soto, which seats about 14,000 spectators....
after being told he was not good enough, but was soon re-signed by Madrid. After his fourth season with the club, youth coach Quique Flores, who was moving to Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
, wanted de la Red to join him at his new club, but Madrid turned him down. The player said: "It is a pride that Quique was interested so much in me, but for me Real Madrid is the number one choice, that is clear; everything else comes afterwards".
De la Red made his first-team debut on November 10, 2004 against CD Tenerife
CD Tenerife
Club Deportivo Tenerife, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in Tenerife . Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, with a 24,000-seat capacity.-History:Club Deportivo Tenerife was founded in...
in the season's Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
, a 2–1 away win. His La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
debut came on 22 September 2005, playing two minutes in a 3–1 home triumph against Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
, and he played two more games as a late substitute during that campaign
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
.
In the 2006–07 season, de la Red was called-up to the main squad by then-manager Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello is an Italian football manager and former player. He is the manager of the England national football team.Capello has the distinction of winning the domestic league title with every club he has coached throughout his career...
, along with teammates Miguel Torres
Miguel Torres Gómez
Miguel Torres Gómez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Getafe CF in La Liga. Usually a right defender, he is equally at ease on the other flank.-Real Madrid:Torres joined Real Madrid's junior teams at the age of 12...
and Miguel Ángel Nieto
Miguel Ángel Nieto
Miguel Ángel Nieto de la Calle is a Spanish footballer who plays for CD Numancia in Segunda División, as a right winger.-Football career:...
, and made seven appearances during the league-winning campaign. On 8 November 2006, he scored his first goal with the main squad, closing the scoresheet against Écija Balompié
Écija Balompié
Écija Balompié, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Écija, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1968, it currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 4.-Season to season:----*2 seasons in Segunda División...
for the season's domestic cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
(5–1 home win, 6–2 aggregate). After the end of the season, the midfielder renewed his contract until 2011.
On 31 August 2007, de la Red was transferred to Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
-based Getafe, with Real Madrid having an option to re-buy the next two years. There, he established himself as an important first team player, usually assuming the role of playmaker
Playmaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....
, having been joined at the team by another Real Madrid cantera
Cantera
Cantera, literally meaning "quarry" in Spanish, is a term used in Spain to refer to youth academies and farm teams organized by sports clubs. It is also used to refer to the geographical area that clubs recruit players from. The term is widely used in football but is also applied to other sports...
no, Esteban Granero
Esteban Granero
Esteban Félix Granero Molina is a Spanish footballer who plays for Real Madrid.A versatile element, known as El Pirata , he can play as an attacking midfielder or behind the strikers...
, who arrived on loan. During the season, he was forced, due to injuries to teammates, to perform as centre back, notably in the UEFA Cup quarterfinal tie against FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
, in which second leg he was sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
in the 6th minute; in the continental competition, he scored three times in 11 matches, notably in a 2–1 win at Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, on 25 October 2007, equalizing after a set piece
Set piece (football)
The term set piece or set play is used in association football and rugby to refer to a situation when the ball is returned to open play following a stoppage, particularly in a forward area of the pitch. Most often, the term is used to refer to free kicks and corners, but sometimes throw-ins. Many...
combination with Granero.
Real Madrid president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Ramón Calderón
Ramón Calderón
José Ramón Calderón Ramos is a lawyer and an ex-President of Spanish sports club Real Madrid.-Life and career:...
confirmed in May 2008 that, along with Granero and Javi García
Francisco Javier García
Francisco Javier "Javi" García Fernández is a Spanish footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal...
, de la Red would return to the Santiago Bernabéu
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is an all-seater football stadium in Madrid, Spain. It was inaugurated on 14 December 1947 and is owned by Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. It has a current capacity of 85,454 spectators....
for the 2008–09 season. It was suggested that Ruben could be used in a swap deal involving a number of potential targets, although then coach Bernd Schuster
Bernd Schuster
Bernhard Schuster is a German football manager and former player, currently unemployed. His nickname is "der Blonde Engel" .-Club career:...
stated that he was willing to give the midfielder a chance to impress in his team.
He scored his first goal for the club since returning on 24 August 2008, in the Spanish Supercup
2008 Supercopa de España
The 2008 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 17 August and 24 August 2008. It was contested by Valencia CF, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2007–08, and Real Madrid, who won the 2007–08 Spanish League. Real Madrid won 6–5 on aggregate for their eighth Supercopa...
final (second leg) against Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, with an astounding long-range effort, adding his first in the league - for Real - on September 21, against Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
(2–0 away win).
On October 30, 2008, de la Red was hospitalized after collapsing during a cup match against Real Unión
Real Unión
Real Unión Club de Irún, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Irun, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in the province of Gipuzkoa, near the border with France...
. He suffered an effort syncope
Syncope (medicine)
Syncope , the medical term for fainting, is precisely defined as a transient loss of consciousness and postural tone characterized by rapid onset, short duration, and spontaneous recovery due to global cerebral hypoperfusion that most often results from hypotension.Many forms of syncope are...
. On 12 December, the club announced the player would be missing the rest of the campaign as a precaution, and some subsequent media reports claimed that he might never recover from his heart condition.
In late June 2009, after further tests proved inconclusive, de la Red missed the entire 2009–10 season
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
, also being scheduled for tests every two months to monitor his situation. On 2 July, the club confirmed the news through its official website. After new Madrid signing Raúl Albiol
Raúl Albiol
Raúl Albiol Tortajada is a Spanish footballer who plays for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.His main asset is his versatility, as he can play as a central defender, right back or defensive midfielder.-Valencia:...
was given the number 18 shirt, previously worn by de la Red, the defender promised to give the shirt number back to de la Red, in the possibility he made a return.
In January 2010, it was reported in various Madrid-based news sites that Real Madrid were attempting to declare de la Red's heart problem to be "a common condition", and therefore find a way to annul his contract. As a consequence, the player would only receive a €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
1,500-monthly disability benefit, rather than the full wages due from the remaining two years of his professional contract.
On 3 November 2010, de la Red announced his retirement from football at only 25. Prior to this announcement, he stated he would remain at the club as a youth coach.
Director of football
Director of football
"Director of football" is a term describing a senior management figure at a football club, most commonly used in Europe. The exact nature of the role is often unclear and extremely variable and causes much debate in the sports media...
Jorge Valdano - also a former club player and coach - added: "This day marks a turning point in Rubén's life. He ends his career as a player to focus all his passion for this sport on training. He is, from today, a part of Real Madrid's coaching staff and will start learning about what we do and how we come about it. He will also be part of Mourinho's 'lab', in which every game is rigorously prepared. The objective is for Rubén to learn skills in order to apply them to whatever team he ends up being assigned to. He's gone through all of the different teams the club has and he will use that experience to continue to be a part of the world of football".
International career
De la Red played for the U-21sSpain national under-21 football team
The Spain national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita , competes in the biannual European Under-21 Football Championship.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth...
, before being called up by the senior team
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
for a March 26, 2008 friendly against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, but did not make his debut. Uncapped
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
, he was named in the nation's squad of 22 for UEFA Euro 2008 by coach Luis Aragonés
Luis Aragonés
José Luis Aragonés Suárez , usually referred to as Luis Aragonés and sometimes simply as Luis, is a former Spanish footballer and national coach....
, but would appear in two friendly games against Peru
Peru national football team
The Peru national football team, known as 'el equipo inca', represents Peru in international football competition and is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation . The team competes against the other nine members of FIFA's CONMEBOL conference, which encompasses the countries of South America...
and USA
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
prior to the continental competition.
During the tournament's final group stage match, de la Red scored his only international goal with a powerful strike against Greece
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
, on 18 June, for a 2–1 win.
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Real Madrid Real Madrid C.F. Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la... |
2004–05 2004–05 La Liga 2004–05 season was composed of the following clubs:* Albacete Balompié* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Real Betis* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Levante UD* Málaga CF* Real Mallorca* CD Numancia* CA Osasuna... |
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005–06 2005–06 La Liga * Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2006–07 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| total | 10 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
| Getafe Getafe CF Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.... |
2007–08 | 31 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 49 | 6 |
| Total | 31 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 49 | 6 | |
| Real Madrid Real Madrid C.F. Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la... |
2008–09 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
| Total | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2 | |
| Career totals | 48 | 3 | 13 | 5 | 15 | 1 | 76 | 9 | |
Club
Real Madrid:- La LigaLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
: 2006–07 - Supercopa de EspañaSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 20082008 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2008 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 17 August and 24 August 2008. It was contested by Valencia CF, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2007–08, and Real Madrid, who won the 2007–08 Spanish League. Real Madrid won 6–5 on aggregate for their eighth Supercopa...
Getafe:
- Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: Runner-up 2007–08
Country
Spain:- UEFA European Football ChampionshipUEFA European Football ChampionshipThe UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
: 2008
Spain U19:
- UEFA U-19 ChampionshipUEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
: 20042004 UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe 2004 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship was held in Switzerland from 13 to 24 July 2004. Players born after 1 January 1985 can participate in this competition...